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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Book Review: Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Firsts are exciting. This week I read my first "Uncorrected Advance Proof," also known as an "Advanced Readers Copy." It means the book was privately released by its publisher before being released for mass distribution.

Young adult author, Elana Johnson, offered this opportunity to some of her fellow blog readers, and I was thrilled to accept it! The goal is to generate support for debut author, Bethany Wiggins, and spread the word about her first novel, Shifting.

cover of uncorrected advance proof

cover you will find at local Barnes & Noble

This is a captivating story! It's considered part of the newest genre of young adult books called, "teen paranormal romance," but don't let the genre name get in your way.

I read this book's 352 pages in four days in between all the other busyness of my life, and that's fast for me. It sucked me in early and kept me coming back. It provided me with an easy, alluring escape from my "regular" life, and that's one of the reasons I read novels.

I enjoyed experiencing the growth of Maggie Mae, her relationships with Bridger and Mrs. C, and the mystery surrounding it all. The New Mexico setting and Navajo folklore added an unexpected and enriching cultural dimension.

Everyone reading this advance proof was encouraged to write comments in the margins of the book. I had so much fun adding my comments to those who read it before me. We also had the option of writing a personal note to the author, Bethany Wiggins. It reminded me of signing yearbooks in high school -- something I loved to do.

In regards to the love story portion of the novel, one of the comments said it perfectly: "Thank you for keeping Maggie Mae and Bridger honorable."

About

I’m Lacie Myers. I keep two sketchbooks at all times: one in my studio and one in my purse. I fill them with drawings of course, but also with quotes, notes, and stories I’ve written.

By the time a sketchbook is filled, it’s an illustrated map of how my creative self has spent the year. I share some of that with you here.

"You sit here for days saying, This is strange business. You’re the strange business. You have the energy of the sun in you, but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine. You’re some weird kind of gold that wants to stay melted in the furnace, so you won’t have to become coins."
--Rumi